SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR THE EVALUATION
OF THEMATIC EXHIBITS AT FIP EXHIBITIONS

ARTICLE 1: COMPETITIVE EXHIBITIONS

In accordance with Article 1.4 of the General Regulations of the FIP for the Evaluation of Competitive Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions (GREV), these Special Regulations have been developed to supplement those principles with regard to thematic exhibits.

They are explained in the Guidelines to these Special Regulations.

ARTICLE 2: COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS

A thematic exhibit develops a theme according to a plan, as defined under 3.2.1, demonstrating thematic and philatelic knowledge through the items chosen. Such knowledge should result in the best possible selection and arrangement of the material and the accuracy of the relevant thematic and philatelic text.

ARTICLE 3: PRINCIPLES OF EXHIBIT COMPOSITION

3.1 APPROPRIATE PHILATELIC MATERIAL

3.1.1. A thematic exhibit uses the widest range of appropriate postal-philatelic material (ref. GREV Art 3.2).

3.1.2. Each item must be connected to the chosen theme and present its thematic information in the clearest and most effective way.

3.2. THEMATIC TREATMENT

The treatment of a thematic exhibit comprises the structure of the work (title and plan) and the elaboration of each point of that structure (development).

3.2.1 Title and Plan

The title with any subtitle defines the scope of the exhibit.

The plan defines the structure of the exhibit and its subdivisions and covers all major aspects relevant to the title. It should be entirely structured according to thematic criteria. The order of the main chapters and their subdivisions should demonstrate the development of the plan rather than list its main aspects.

The title and the plan must be presented on a page at the beginning of the exhibit, written in one of the official FIP languages.

3.2.2. Development

The development means the elaboration of the theme in depth, aiming to achieve an arrangement of the material fully compliant with the plan.

The elaboration utilises only the thematic information, postally authorised, available from:

• the purpose of issue or use of the item

• the primary and secondary elements of the design of the item

• other postal characteristics.

Such elaboration requires:

• a thorough knowledge of the chosen theme

• a high degree of philatelic knowledge

• a thematic text, to ensure the necessary thematic links and to provide thematic details, whenever needed.

3.2.3 Innovation

Innovation is shown by the

• introduction of new themes, or

• new aspects of an established or known theme, or

• new approaches for known themes, or

• new application of material.

Innovation may refer to all components of Treatment.

3.3 QUALIFICATION OF PHILATELIC MATERIAL

The connection between the philatelic material and the theme must be clearly demonstrated, when it is not obvious.

ARTICLE 4: CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

The general criteria, as specified in GREV Art. 4, are adapted to the peculiarities of the thematic class.

4.1. Thematic Treatment

Treatment will be evaluated according to the title and the plan, the development, and the innovation shown in the exhibit.

4.1.1. The title and the plan will be evaluated considering the:

• consistency between the plan and the title

• presence of the plan page

• adequacy of the plan page

• correct, logical and balanced structure (divisions and subdivisions)

• coverage of all major aspects necessary to develop the theme.

4.1.2. The development will be evaluated considering the:

• correct assembly and positioning of the items in conformity with the plan

• connection between the items and the thematic text

• depth, shown through connections, cross references, ramifications, causes and effects

• balance, by giving to each thematic point the importance corresponding to its significance within the theme

• elaboration of all aspects of the plan.

4.1.3.Innovation will be evaluated according to Art. 3.2.3.

4.2. Knowledge, Personal Study and Research

The criterion for Knowledge, Personal Study and Research requires the evaluation of the thematic and philatelic aspects of the exhibit.

4.2.1 Thematic Knowledge, and its related Personal Study and Research will be evaluated considering the

• appropriateness, conciseness and correctness of thematic text

• correct thematic use of the material

• presence of new thematic findings for the theme.

4.2.2 Philatelic Knowledge, Personal Study and Research will be evaluated considering the

• full compliance with the rules of postal philately

• presence of the widest possible range of postal-philatelic material and its balanced use

• appropriateness of postal documents

• appropriateness and correctness of philatelic text, when required

• presence of philatelic studies and related skilful use of important philatelic material.

4.3 Condition and Rarity

The criteria of "Condition and Rarity" require an evaluation of the quality of the displayed material considering the standard of the material that exists for the chosen subject, the rarity and the relative difficulty of acquisition of the selected material.

4.4 Presentation

The criterion of "Presentation” requires an evaluation of the clarity of display, the text as well as the overall aesthetic balance of the exhibit.

ARTICLE 5: JUDGING OF EXHIBITS

5.1. Thematic exhibits will be judged by the approved specialists in their respective field and in accordance with the section V, Art. 31 to 46, of the GREX (ref.: GREV, Art. 5.1).

5.2. For thematic exhibits, the following relative terms are presented to lead the Jury to a balanced evaluation (ref.: GREV, Art. 5.3).
 

ARTICLE 6: CONCLUDING PROVISIONS

6.1 In the event of any discrepancies in the text arising from translation, the English text shall prevail.

6.2 The Special Regulations of the FIP for the Evaluation of Thematic Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions (SREV) were approved at the 66th FIP Congress on October 14, 2000 in Madrid. They take effect immediately following closure of Congress.